Go weeks on end without a job. Perhaps this is allowing other opportunities?

Important relationships end. It just wasn’t meant to be.

There are a lot of challenges that need facing when one decides to move their life to the other side of the world. Securities that usually surround you at home have suddenly disappeared. You can find yourself homeless and unemployed at the same time. It’s stressful. And can be bloody scary. Except for one thing – you’re surrounded by a new security. A new family. They may not be blood related but they’re just as close and caring as the real thing. So you may not have a home, but you’ve got a mattress to sleep on. And you may not have a job, but at least you’ve got a high moral from the endless support your “family” give. And when you face your toughest days, your ultimate lows, they’re the ones to hold your chin up and tell you that everything’s going to be OK. They’re your London Family and I am so incredibly grateful for the relationships I’ve made.

But where was I – oh yeah – Everything happens for a reason! I would never consider myself a resilient person, but since moving overseas I’ve developed a new way of thinking. As I look back on the year that’s been I realise one thing. From all things negative, something bigger and better has come along. Hence my new mantra – Everything happens for a reason.

During weeks of homelessness, Fi and I become increasingly frustrated. Rooms that looked promising were suddenly turned down. This happened over and over again and we started to feel like giving up. However during our desperate hunt for a house we realised something. Johanna needs a house. David needs a place too. Why don’t we all get a house together? A house with our friends!! Where we wouldn’t be moving in with strangers. See – something great arose from a tough time.

London is expensive. So when you’ve got no income rolling in it’s stressful. Now picture coming home from a 3 month holiday with minimal cash in hand and not have an income. Now things are really stressful. You can’t help but feel a little panicked. However during my days of unemployment I decided to fill my time with some work experience.

Having always wanted to work as a Physio for dancers I decided to organise some work experience with a London clinic who treats West End performers. It was that very experience that lead me to where I am today. My dream job. One week after visiting the clinic I received a call. A job offer to join the UK Billy Elliot tour as their treating Physiotherapist. Once calming down from the excitement I realised one key thing: if I had been employed earlier, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do work experience. If I didn’t do the work experience I would have never been offered this position. You can’t help but think that your term of unemployment was for a reason. The frustration and the stress all lead to something incredible. Something that has potentially set me up for the rest of my career. Everything happens for a reason.

And now here’s the big one. 9 months ago my best friend and I parted ways. It was unexpected and the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. Going through a break up on the other side of the World from your family is tough. When the only person you want to hold is far, far away you learn to deal with things differently. Long ago I would have thought nothing good could come from a situation like this. How on Earth would I cope? But here’s the kicker – great things happened. I surprised myself with strengths I didn’t know I had. I learnt things about myself that I never would have if I stayed in the relationship. Looking back I realised that my whole European summer experience wouldn’t have existed. My London life would have been lived completely different. I wouldn’t have challenged myself the way I have. I wouldn’t have met some people who I now consider my closest friends. And I probably wouldn’t be where I am today – an incredibly happy Physiotherapist touring the UK countryside.

I’m not saying that good will always come from life challenges. Sometimes we’re just presented with down right difficult situations. But this year has given me a new perspective. To consider what good could come from the bad and to appreciate that somethings are just not meant to be. And when that happens I think it’s important to think – maybe there’s a reason for this? Perhaps it’s not the right place, or the right time, or the right person. Instead be patient – something great might be just around the corner.